Barshasketh – Antinomian Asceticism (Review)

Barshasketh - Antinomian AsceticismBarshasketh are a black metal band from New Zealand/Scotland and this is their fifth album.

I first encountered Barshasketh on their 2015 split with Void Ritual, and then again on their 2017 split with Outre. Both primed me for the emergence in 2019 of the formidable Barshasketh, which ably demonstrated what the band could do across a full length. Well, it may have taken the best part of six years, but Barshasketh have now returned with the 44-minute Antinomian Asceticism, and let me tell you, it’s lethal. Continue reading “Barshasketh – Antinomian Asceticism (Review)”

Sluagh – II (Review)

Sluagh - IIThis is the debut album from UK black metal band Sluagh.

Brought to us by current/ex-members of Ageless Summoning, Barshasketh, and Dvne, (and many others), II contains 41 minutes of atmospheric black metal, played with old-school authenticity and heart. It’s raw and unashamedly ancient, driven by a love of the traditional black metal style as seen through a contemporary Scottish-focused lens. Continue reading “Sluagh – II (Review)”

Hulder/Verwoed/Aristarchos/Ante-Inferno/Deathless Void/Burial/Slimelord – Rebellion, Manchester – 30/11/24 (Live Review)

 

Hulder Verwoed Aristarchos Ante-Inferno Deathless Void Burial Slimelord - Rebellion, Manchester - 30.11.24 (Live Review)

It’s time for another high quality (mostly) black metal all dayer courtesy of the fine folks at Reaper Agency. Today was originally meant to have been headlined by the mighty Worm, but despite that unfortunately no longer being the case, they were never the only reason to attend. So let’s get on with the show – the day promises to be a very enjoyable one indeed. Continue reading “Hulder/Verwoed/Aristarchos/Ante-Inferno/Deathless Void/Burial/Slimelord – Rebellion, Manchester – 30/11/24 (Live Review)”

Euchridian – Philia (Review)

Euchridian - PhiliaThis is the debut EP from international doom metal band Euchridian.

It’s taken me a while to get round to this one, but I’m glad I finally did. I knew I wanted to give it a go due to Euchridian featuring current and ex-members of Barshasketh and Of Spire & Throne, both bands worthy of your time. Continue reading “Euchridian – Philia (Review)”

Ashenspire – Hostile Architecture (Review)

Ashenspire - Hostile ArchitectureAshenspire are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

Holy crap. This is not your standard album, not at all. It’s striking, individual, shockingly emotive, and relentlessly harsh in atmosphere and tone. To set the scene somewhat – Ashenspire play a form of post-black metal with strong avant-garde, experimental, and progressive tendencies. Featuring current and ex-members of Barshasketh and Falloch, Hostile Architecture is a 44-minute journey into the contemporary urban heart of darkness. Continue reading “Ashenspire – Hostile Architecture (Review)”

Sidious – Blackest Insurrection (Review)

Sidious - Blackest InsurrectionThis is the third album from UK black metal act Sidious.

I’ve enjoyed watching Sidious develop from their symphonic black/death beginnings, (Revealed in Profane Splendour), to their metamorphosis into the pure black metal form of their last album, (Temporal). Now we have Blackest Insurrection, where the band spend 48 minutes showcasing a refinement of their raw blackened assault. Out of the two, I’d say that this is the superior release when compared to Temporal, and it’s great to hear the band improving their sound. Continue reading “Sidious – Blackest Insurrection (Review)”

Ov Shadows – I Djävulens Avbild (Review)

Ov Shadows - I Djavulens AvbildOv Shadows are a Swedish black metal band and this is their second album.

Featuring a member of Obitus, Ov Shadows play ferocious, yet textured, black metal that should find favour with fans of bands such as Dark Funeral, Nordjevel, Nightbringer, Barshasketh, etc. Continue reading “Ov Shadows – I Djävulens Avbild (Review)”

Barshasketh – Barshasketh (Review)

Barshasketh - BarshaskethBarshasketh are a black metal band from New Zealand/the UK and this is their fourth album.

My past encounters with Barshasketh have always been very positive, (see their split with Void Ritual and split with Outre), but this is my first exposure to a full length from the band.

Well, I enjoyed the band’s previous work that I’ve heard, but this is something else. Continue reading “Barshasketh – Barshasketh (Review)”